The free upgrade to Windows 10 ended on July 29, 2016, according to Microsoft, and the upgrade option for people with disabilities ended at the end of 2017. This means that if Windows 7 or 8.1 is installed on your computer and you have not updated on the specified date, having decided not to upgrade to Windows 10, then officially in the future you will need to buy a new OS if you want to install it on your computer (we're talking about the licensed version, of course). However, there is a way to get around this limitation in 2018.
On the one hand, the decision not to receive an update, but to stay on the current version of the operating system for someone can be quite balanced and justified. On the other hand, you can imagine a situation where you might regret not updating for free. An example of this situation: you have a fairly powerful computer and you play games, but “sit” on Windows 7, and a year later you discover that all newly released games are designed for DirectX 12 in Windows 10, which is not supported in 7.
Update 2018: this method no longer works. After the completion of the main free update program, a new page appeared on the official Microsoft website - it says that users who use accessibility features can also update for free. At the same time, no check of limited capabilities is carried out, the only thing is that by clicking the “Update Now” button, you confirm that you are the user who requires special system capabilities (by the way, the On-Screen Keyboard is also a special feature and many people find it useful). At the same time, as reported, this update will be available indefinitely.
After clicking the button, the executable file is downloaded to start the update (it is required that a licensed version of one of the previous systems be installed on the computer). At the same time, the bootable system is normal; special features are enabled manually by the user if necessary. Address of the official update page: https://microsoft.com/ru-ru/accessibility/windows10upgrade (It is unknown how long this update feature will work. If anything changes, please notify me in the comments).
Additional Information: If you received a Windows 10 update before July 29, but then uninstalled this OS, then you can, on the same computer, and when asked for a key during installation, click “I don’t have a key” - the system will be activated automatically when you connect to the Internet.
To begin with, I note that I cannot guarantee the performance of this method, since at this point in time it will not be possible to verify this. However, there is every reason to believe that he is working, provided that at the time you read this article, July 29, 2016 has not yet arrived.
The essence of the method is as follows:
What happens: with a free update, activation is assigned to the current equipment (digital entitlement), as I wrote about earlier in the article.
After the “attachment” is completed, it is possible (or disk) on the same computer or laptop, including without entering a key (click “I don’t have a key” in the installation program) with subsequent automatic activation when connected to the Internet.
At the same time, there is no information that the specified binding is limited in time. Hence the assumption that if you perform the “Update” - “Rollback” cycle, then when necessary, you will be able to install Windows 10 in the activated edition (Home, Professional) on the same computer at any time, even after the free update period has expired .
I hope the essence of the method is clear and, perhaps, some of the readers will find the method useful. I just can’t recommend it to users for whom the theoretically possible need to reinstall the OS manually (rollback does not always work as expected) poses great difficulties.
Since rolling back from Windows 10 to previous operating systems using the system's built-in tools does not always work smoothly, a more preferable option (or as a safety net) may be to either create a full backup copy of the current version of Windows, for example, using the instructions (the methods also work for other versions of the OS ), or temporary cloning of the system disk to another disk () with subsequent recovery.
And if something goes wrong, you can do a clean installation of Windows 7 or 8 on a computer or laptop (but not as a second OS, but as the main one) or if you have one.
For those users who are a little unaware of the latest news about Windows 10, let us remind you that its release is scheduled for July 29. Microsoft has announced that owners of licensed versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will be able to install it completely free of charge. But numerous owners of pirated copies, according to Microsoft, will not be able to activate Windows 10.
However, on June 19, Windows Insider program manager Gabriel Aul published a blog entry regarding changes to the operating system testing process. Among other things, he wrote that all users who participate in the Windows Insider program and have a Microsoft account will be able to receive a free licensed version of Windows 10.
If you're using the Insider Preview build and linked it to the MSA (Microsoft Account) you used when you signed up for the test program, you'll receive the final version of Windows 10 for free in activated mode. After installing and activating the final release, you can later perform a clean installation of the system if you want to start from scratch.
Gabriel Aul
What does this mean and what actions do you need to take if you want to get Windows 10 for free, but cannot boast of having a licensed copy of Windows?
Will you install Windows 10 if you actually get it completely free?
There are two base offerings for Windows 10 Enterprise: Windows 10 Enterprise E3 and Windows 10 Enterprise E5. Both can be purchased on a per-device or per-user basis. They are only available under Volume Licensing.
Windows 10 Enterprise E3 offers access to Windows 10 Enterprise and includes advanced protection against advanced security threats, multiple operating system deployment and upgrade options, and comprehensive device and app management. Some Volume Licensing programs offer Windows 10 Enterprise E3 with Software Assurance.
Windows 10 Enterprise E5 is the latest offering for customers who want all the benefits of E3, plus Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) in Windows Defender is a new service that helps enterprises detect, investigate, and respond to complex attacks on their networks.
Windows Defender ATP, which builds on existing Windows 10 security features, adds a new layer to the Windows 10 security stack that is designed to handle threats already in the environment. By combining the client technologies built into Windows 10 with a powerful cloud service, the tool helps enterprises discover threats that have successfully traversed other defense lines, understand how endpoints were affected, and get recommendations on how to respond.
You can license Software Assurance for Windows on a device as follows:
When licensing Windows Enterprise per user, there are 3 options: Windows 10 Enterprise E3, Windows 10 Enterprise E5, and VDA for Windows. This allows companies to tailor Windows licensing to their users, choose the most flexible way to deploy and access the OS on different devices, and simplify Windows licensing and management. User licensing helps you:
For more help choosing the right user licensing option and a more detailed description of access rights to Windows Enterprise and other Software Assurance benefits, see (PDF, 959 KB).
There are two base offerings for Windows 10 Enterprise: Windows 10 Enterprise E3 and Windows 10 Enterprise E5. Both can be purchased on a per-device or per-user basis. They are only available under Volume Licensing.
Windows 10 Enterprise E3 offers access to Windows 10 Enterprise and includes advanced protection against advanced security threats, multiple operating system deployment and upgrade options, and comprehensive device and app management. Some Volume Licensing programs offer Windows 10 Enterprise E3 with Software Assurance.
Windows 10 Enterprise E5 is the latest offering for customers who want all the benefits of E3, plus Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) in Windows Defender is a new service that helps enterprises detect, investigate, and respond to complex attacks on their networks.
Windows Defender ATP, which builds on existing Windows 10 security features, adds a new layer to the Windows 10 security stack that is designed to handle threats already in the environment. By combining the client technologies built into Windows 10 with a powerful cloud service, the tool helps enterprises discover threats that have successfully traversed other defense lines, understand how endpoints were affected, and get recommendations on how to respond.
You can license Software Assurance for Windows on a device as follows:
When licensing Windows Enterprise per user, there are 3 options: Windows 10 Enterprise E3, Windows 10 Enterprise E5, and VDA for Windows. This allows companies to tailor Windows licensing to their users, choose the most flexible way to deploy and access the OS on different devices, and simplify Windows licensing and management. User licensing helps you:
For more help choosing the right user licensing option and a more detailed description of access rights to Windows Enterprise and other Software Assurance benefits, see (PDF, 959 KB).
The rules have changed dramatically.
Windows licensing has always been opaque and nebulous. For example, Windows 7 had a retail version, an OEM version, and enterprise editions. In theory, the OEM version (that is, when the OS shipped with new computer hardware) was tied to the hardware it shipped with. Retail retail versions were “portable”, and the user was able to transfer his copy of Windows 7 from one computer to another, provided that the system would no longer be used on the old machine. Most retail versions were used specifically for installation on modernized machines or computers with manual assembly of individual components. Typically you would have to re-authorize your copy of Windows for the new system, but in most cases this was just a formality.
In the long term, portability is not a feature of the free version of Windows 10. When you install Windows 10, Microsoft's activation servers create and store a unique identifier based on the old key and the current machine's hardware configuration. The new Windows 10 will be tied to the updated system, and the original Windows 7/8.1 key will no longer be valid. (This way, you will be able to roll back to Windows 7, but you will not be able to run the original OS and Windows 10 at the same time, for example, in a virtual machine or in multi-OS mode at boot).
Comment from a Microsoft official: “ After the first year, you will no longer be able to transfer the copy to another device, because... The update is tied to a specific computer, not a license or Windows account. One year after the release of Windows 10, if the device has not been updated to Windows, the user will need to separately purchase a copy of Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store or from authorized Microsoft product distributors”.
The best part is that if you end up buying the retail version of Windows 10, you will be able to freely move it from one computer to another - this version comes with a portable feature.
However, you can still upgrade your Windows 10 system. Just as with previous versions of Windows (usually tied to the Windows Genuine Advantage program), you will need to call Microsoft to reactivate your license if you change the main components of your computer after upgrading to Windows 10 (many users find this annoying, but in reality it is not a very painful process).
Unfortunately, the criteria for changes that require system reactivation are quite vague. For example, when adding RAM, re-activation is not required, but when replacing the motherboard, it is required (in OEM versions, replacing the motherboard is only allowed if the PC is still under warranty).
Many users ask if it is possible to reserve a free upgrade now and upgrade later. The answer is very simple: if you update before the end of July 2016, consumer versions of Windows 10 will be free for you. After July 2016 you will need to purchase a Windows 10 license.
Some Windows users are wondering if they can buy a copy of Windows 10 for free now and start using the new OS after July 2016. As a rule, these users are waiting for third-party application developers to add support for Windows 10 to programs for corporate needs. To delay Windows 10 migration, users should create a backup of Windows 7/8.1, then install the free update and roll back to Windows 7/8.1. This way, they can upgrade to the free version of Windows 10 whenever they want.
However, on older systems you may need to enter a Windows 10 license key. You can find it using special key viewers, for example, the NirSoft Producey utility (oddly enough, a Google search reveals a large number of sites selling keys for the currently free Windows 10).
New systems with UEFI and Microsoft Data Management support will store the Windows 10 key in the motherboard firmware. If you restore Windows 10 to its original state or perform a clean installation, the operating system will find the license key on its own.
In any case, your system should be successfully upgraded to Windows 10. Only then will it be added to the whitelist of Microsoft products as genuine. Currently, if you are prompted for a key during a Windows 10 reinstall, you can use a shared key (Figure 1).
Retail versions of Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 included two installation media - one for 32-bit systems and one for 64-bit systems. The free version of Windows 10 allows you to upgrade only to a system with the same bitness as the original system. In other words, you can only upgrade a 32-bit Windows 7 to a 32-bit version of Windows 10. Assuming that no one wants to upgrade a 64-bit system to a 32-bit system, then to upgrade from a 32-bit system to a 64-bit system you need will perform a clean installation of the original Windows 7/8.1 using the 64-bit version installation media, and then upgrade to Windows 10.
The Windows 10 Free Update does not allow you to upgrade your version of Windows. If you own a Win7 Starter, Home Basic, or Home Premium license, you will receive Windows 10 Home, and if you have Windows 7/8.1 Pro, you will receive Windows 10 Pro respectively. Windows 7 Ultimate license holders will also receive Windows 10 Pro due to the lack of an Ultimate version of Windows 10.
Some Windows users have complained about the lack of Media Center in Windows 10. The corresponding page on the Microsoft web portal notes that on some systems you can get a DVD playing application for free from the Windows Store. Other users will be able to purchase this application. Of course, there are a large number of good third-party players on the Internet.
There is a whole list of functions that are no longer available on the corresponding page on the Microsoft website.
Yes, it's free, but with some caveats. As has been repeatedly reported, this free update will be available until July 2016. After this period, if you did not have time to take advantage of the free update, you will need to purchase Windows 10.
Everything can change. Apple users also always expect free OS updates. For example, an iPhone can be upgraded for free until the new OS stops supporting older hardware. In some cases, you may still get the new OS, but the smartphone will not use some of the new features. At that moment, users usually change the phone to a new one, because... The old device won't hold a charge, but the larger screens and new features look tempting.
After all, Microsoft could adapt a similar business model: the operating system is just a platform for highly profitable services and software. But as the TechNet UK blog points out, the current free version of Windows 10 has no expiration date - you won't have to pay for it in two or three years. Be that as it may, Microsoft plans to add new features to Windows 10, and at some point, some features may not work on your computer, or your device may stop receiving future updates altogether.
Many cautious users tend to leave Windows 7 or Windows 8 on their machines, installing Windows 10 on a second disk or logical partition. Typically, they want to copy or image a Windows 7 installation, upgrade to Windows 10, and then restore the system to its original state on a different drive or partition. Sorry, but such actions are not allowed. If Windows 10 is installed, it takes over the original Windows 7/8.1 license. Within a month after the update, Windows 10 allows you to downgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, but in this case the new OS is removed.
As always with Windows, virtual copies must have their own licenses, separate from the host systems. As mentioned in the TechNet UK blog, a Windows 10 license “allows you to install only one copy of the software for use on only one device, whether it is physical or virtual. If you want to use the software on multiple devices, you need to purchase separate OS licenses for each of them.”
The old Windows update model (XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8) seems to have fallen into disuse. The new model is confusing for long-term Windows users. It assumes that for a specific machine you will only need to pay for Windows once - when you buy a new PC, order a retail version, or register for volume licensing. The main features of the “Windows as a Service” concept are:
Microsoft expects that the vast majority of users using the same version of the OS will simplify the process of developing third-party applications.
Enterprise customers should note: To upgrade to Windows 10, you must have a valid Software Assurance contract. If you simply purchased a Windows 7 Enterprise license, you do not have the right to upgrade to the new OS. Customers with a signed contract will be able to log into the Microsoft License Center and download the Enterprise edition. You will also need to renew your current Software Assurance contract to receive future Windows 10 updates.
Free does not mean without some costs. It probably comes as no surprise to many that the free update comes with limitations. Some may find them not too onerous, but you should familiarize yourself with them before upgrading. Whether you can work under these restrictions is up to you. If they are too critical, we remind you that although Windows 7 will not receive new improvements, Microsoft will fix bugs and security issues for this OS until January 14, 2020, and support for Windows 8 expires in 2023.
